To prepare a Tamiami home for hurricane season: know your water and power shut-offs, clear gutters and swales, check window and door seals, have shutters or panels ready, photograph your home and belongings, review your homeowners and flood policies, and plan where to move valuables. After a storm, document damage, stop more water from getting in, and start drying quickly.
Before the season (May–June)
- Review insurance: check your hurricane deductible and whether you have flood insurance. Homeowners policies usually exclude rising floodwater.
- Photograph everything: every room, closets, garage and big-ticket items. Store the files in the cloud.
- Find your shut-offs: main water valve, electrical panel, and gas shut-off if you have one.
- Clear drainage: gutters, roof drains, yard swales and storm drain inlets near your driveway.
- Check seals: window caulking, sliding door tracks, and door sweeps.
- Get shutters ready: make sure panels, hardware and labels are complete.
- Trim trees that hang over the roof.
When a storm is forecast
- Install shutters or panels on windows and glass doors.
- Move valuables, electronics and documents off the floor and away from windows.
- Bring in or tie down patio furniture, grills and planters.
- Put sandbags or water barriers at low doorways if your street tends to flood.
- Charge phones and power banks; have flashlights ready.
- Follow Miami-Dade County emergency updates and evacuation orders.
After the storm
- Stay safe: wait for the all-clear, avoid downed lines, never run a generator indoors.
- Document the outside and every wet room before cleanup.
- Stop more water: tarp roofs and cover broken windows if it's safe, or have a contractor do it.
- Report the claim and keep your claim number.
- Start extraction and drying as soon as it's safe; mold can start within 24 to 48 hours.
See storm and hurricane water damage and flood damage restoration.
Why Tamiami homes see storm water damage
Tamiami sits on flat, low-lying land in west Miami-Dade, with an average elevation of about 7 feet. Heavy bursts of rain can fill swales and storm drains faster than they empty. During the June 2024 rain event, neighboring Sweetwater recorded more than 7.5 inches. Flooding also isn't limited to mapped flood zones: a Miami Herald analysis found nearly 60% of flood complaints came from outside FEMA flood zones.
Water damage kit to keep at home
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Wet/dry vac | Remove surface water from tile quickly |
| Heavy plastic sheeting and tape | Cover openings, protect furniture |
| Towels and buckets | Catch drips from ceilings |
| Rubber boots and gloves | Safety around floodwater |
| Flashlight and batteries | Power outages |
| Copy of insurance policies | Report claims quickly |
If water gets in, call (786) 732-2700.
Frequently asked questions
When is hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year, with peak activity usually from August through October.
Do I need flood insurance in Tamiami if I'm not in a flood zone?
It's worth considering. Standard homeowners policies exclude rising floodwater, and many flood complaints in South Florida come from outside mapped flood zones.
What's a hurricane deductible?
Many Florida homeowners policies have a separate deductible for damage from named storms, often a percentage of the dwelling coverage instead of a flat amount. Check your declarations page.
Should I turn off my water before a hurricane?
If you evacuate, turning off the main water valve can prevent a leak from running unnoticed. Follow official guidance for your situation.
How soon after a storm should drying start?
As soon as it's safe. Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours on wet materials in warm, humid conditions.
More water damage guides
- Water Damage in Your Home: What to Do in the First 24 Hours
- Water Damage Categories and Classes, Explained Simply
- Filing a Water Damage Insurance Claim in Florida: A Homeowner's Guide
- AC Leaking Water Inside the House? Causes and What to Do
- How Long Does Water Damage Restoration Take?
Related services: Flood Damage Restoration · Storm & Hurricane Water Damage · Water Damage Insurance Documentation · Water damage restoration in Tamiami